Saturn

“	A witch suspended beneath Saturn as it stations direct, exalted in its own house, cannot lie.	”
	— Cotton Mather

Saturn's planetary alignment is a rare occurrence that happens every seventeen years. During this brief moment in time, a witch can be compelled to speak the truth.

Description[]

According to Cotton Mather, every seventeen years the planet Saturn is exalted in its own astrological house for a few brief moments. While Saturn is in this particular alignment, unknown mystical forces compel a witch to answer any questions. However, the truth can still easily be concealed with cryptic answers. The time duration of this alignment is relatively short and the witch hunters must be cunning in asking the right questions, but most of all skilled enough to capture a witch and held them captive. When a witch is exposed to the influences of Saturn's planetary alignment, their eyes turn completely black and they fall into a state of trance.

Throughout Salem[]

In 1692, Reverend Cotton Mather and Captain John Alden exploited this peculiar celestial event to capture the witch they held responsible for brining the Malum in Salem, Massachusetts.

They deceived the witch by luring them into Alden House late at night, having spread the rumour that the captain had come into possession of certain smuggled goods. Rose Browning, the then Samhain of the Essex Hive took it upon herself to retrieve the mystical artifact needed for the Grand Rite competition. Unfortunately for her, Alden had tampered with the floor of his bedroom, effectively turning it into a trap door that collapsed, impaling Rose on spikes downstairs. She tried to glamour herself as John's deceased mother to deceive him and kill him if necessary to retrieve the Malum. Taking advantage of Rose's shock and pain, Cotton Mather rushed behind her back and administered the witch a powerful narcotic in order to carry her to the woods.

Paralysed and injured, Rose was bound by peculiar knots, suspended by a tree and exposed directly to Saturn's influence. The witch used her skills and knowledge to shock the two men with dirty talk about their women – Gloriana and Mary – and by playing on both of their guilt for failing them. However, she was soon compelled by the planetary alignment and revealed the death that accompanies and will follow the Grand Rite. Rose responded to Mather with some riddles about the sacrifices already in place although the reverend was not aware of any disappearances or suspicious deaths. As the influence wore off, Rose was able to free herself from the ropes and crawling up the trunk. Once she was at the top of the tree, she slashed her wrists and moistened the ground with her witch blood, uttering magical words. Revenants thus began to emerge from the ground, attacking the two men and allowing the witch to escape.^[1]

Memorable Quotes[]

Cotton Mather: "Once every 17 years, saturn stations direct... Exalted in its own house for a few brief moments. This will happen today at nightfall."

John Alden: "And we care because?'?"

Cotton Mather: "A witch suspended beneath saturn as it stations direct, exalted in its own house, cannot lie. Reputable sources say it is why Odysseus himself dallied so long on Circe's Island."

— The Red Rose and the Briar

Cotton Mather: "Speak, damn you! Saturn compels you to the truth!"

Rose Browning: [Raspy voice] "What would you know?"

Cotton Mather: "Everything."

— The Red Rose and the Briar

John Alden: "I thought you said Saturn would compel her to speak the truth."

Cotton Mather: "It did."

John Alden: "What truth? I heard only riddles."

Cotton Mather: "Sometimes, the truth is a riddle."

— The Red Rose and the Briar

Trivia[]

Cotton Mather surmised that this alignment is the reason why Odysseus himself dallied so long on Circe's Island
According to Cotton Mather, the great grey owl is considered Saturn's mascot.
Just because witches are compelled to say the truth, it doesn't necessarily mean they will say it directly. Riddles can very well conceal the truth, leaving those willingly to uncover it with something to work on.
Saturn is the sixth planet in the Solar System. Its symbol is a stylised sickle and it is named after an ancient Roman god.